Physicists use light waves to enable ultrafast quantum computing

Scientists have discovered that terahertz light - light at trillions of cycles per second - can act as a control knob to accelerate supercurrents. That can help open up the quantum world of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic scales.

Planet-hunting TESS spacecraft finds exoplanet smaller than Earth

The exoplanet is orbiting a small star 35 light years from Earth and is about 80 percent the size of Earth. It orbits its host sun, an M dwarf known as L 98-59, every 2.25 days.

Last month was officially the world's hottest June ever recorded

This June was around 1C hotter than the previous record set for Europe in 1999, and about 1C higher than expected from the trend in recent decades, the Copernicus Climate Change Service reported.

This Radical New DNA Microscope Reimagines the Cellular World

The new technique, dubbed DNA microscopy, uses only a pipette and some liquid reagents. The results are absolutely breathtaking. Cells shine like stars in a nebula, each pseudo-colored according to their genomic profiles.

Damage to the ozone layer and climate change forming feedback loop

Increased solar radiation penetrating through the damaged ozone layer is interacting with the changing climate, and the consequences are rippling through the Earth's natural systems, effecting everything from weather to sea mammals.

Astronomers see 'warm' glow of Uranus's rings

Two telescopes have measured the faint heat from the main, or epsilon ring, of Uranus, enabling astronomers for the first time to determine its temperature: a cool 77 Kelvin.

First-ever successful mind-controlled robotic arm without brain implants

Using a noninvasive brain-computer interface (BCI), researchers have developed the first-ever successful mind-controlled robotic arm exhibiting the ability to continuously track and follow a computer cursor.

Vanuatu bans disposable diapers in fight against plastic

The ban is part of a nationwide effort to curb plastic pollution, which has overwhelmed the tiny country in recent years. Vanuatu's is believed to be the first such ban on disposable diapers anywhere in the world.

NASA's Curiosity Rover Detects Spike in Methane on Mars

NASA's Curiosity rover discovered "startlingly high amounts of methane in the Martian air" on Wednesday in what could potentially be a sign of life on the Red Planet, the New York Times reported on Saturday.

Elon Musk's SpaceX lifts 24 satellites into orbit after 'most difficult launch'

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket blasted off on Tuesday, putting 24 experimental satellites into orbit. The two side booster rockets returned safely to Earth, but the rocket’s center booster missed its mark, crashing in the Atlantic Ocean.

US renewable capacity surpasses coal power for first time

A new report shows there was more biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind capacity installed on the US grid in April 2019 than plants set up to burn the fossil fuel.

Renewable energy: the global transition, explained in 12 charts

The world’s governments urgently need to bear down on heating and transportation, where most of the energy is being consumed. Energy systems need to be rapidly electrified and integrated.

Discovery of a 'holy grail' with the invention of universal computer memory

A new type of computer memory promises to transform daily life with its ultra-low energy consumption, allowing computers which do not need to boot up and which could sleep between key strokes.

1.2 billion years ago, a 1-km asteroid smashed into Scotland

New research by a team of UK scientists has located the site of the massive impact that took place in Scotland 1.2 billion years ago. Roughly one billion years ago, Earth experienced a higher rate of meteorite impact than it does today.

Inflatable Heat Shield Could Deliver Heavy Payloads to Another Worlds

NASA is testing out a new inflatable heat shield which could enable them to send heavier missions to Mars, as well as Venus and Titan.